I predicted this!

At the beginning of the year – a day before the first game, actually – I predicted the Buckeyes to be 9-0 at this point. And I predicted it in writing -- in this space actually!

Let me run it down, as I went game-by-game.

My predictions (actual score)

Ohio State 42 – Miami 14 (56-10)

Ohio State 34 – UCF 10 (31-16)

Ohio State 31 – Cal 17 (35-28)

Ohio State 45 – UAB 9 (29-15)

Ohio State 24 – Michigan State 17 (17-16)

Ohio State 37 – Nebraska 20 (63-38)

Ohio State 40 – Indiana 10 (52-49)

Ohio State 27 – Purdue 10 (29-22)

Ohio State 29 – Penn State 14 (35-23)

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Ohio State 27 – Illinois 6

Ohio State 20 – Wisconsin 21

Ohio State 31 – _ichigan 24

So far, when I look at it, I see two things.

1) I completely over-estimated the defense on the team when you look at points allowed. In fact, I have missed it by 6 points per game. We can all agree that this defense isn’t exactly up to the legacy of Hawk, Doss, Katzenmoyer, etc. But, we are all hopeful that things are coming around.

2) I have nailed the record thus far. That seems easy, but coming off a 6-7 season, it’s not. Many pundits, for instance, had Ohio State losing to Michigan State. Of not the Spartans, then Nebraska the following week. Some had Ohio State losing to both.

What about those last three games. My prediction from late August have Ohio State winning this weekend against Illinois and in the last game against _ichigan. But there is that Wisconsin game, isn’t there? I have them marked for a loss. What about that?

Well, in honesty, I will not change that prediction. I will GLADLY eat my words if the Buckeyes win in Madison. But, I have to see it first. Remember, the last time we went up there was the worst most of us have ever seen the Buckeyes play. Certainly, their preparation was not right. Jim Tressel just did not have the team ready. And it ruined a potential national championship bid.

So I will stick with it and beg the Buckeyes to prove me wrong. Please do it!